Cristiano Ronaldo is said to have made an offer to join Wydad Casablanca in Morocco in hopes of participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Spanish newspaper Marca reported on the transfer proposal on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabian outlet Kooora further cited a source within Wydad who confirmed that Ronaldo himself reached out to the club.

"Ronaldo wants to join Wydad to improve his personal decorations, by taking part in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and play on the third continent after Europe and Asia," the report stated. "Ronaldo has a strong affinity for Morocco, having visited the country many times, and has several business ventures there."

However, Wydad's president, Hicham Ait Menna, denied the reports, stating that the club lacked the financial resources to sign the Portuguese superstar.

Wydad earned their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup as one of Africa's representatives, thanks to their 2021-2022 CAF Champions League title. They are currently ranked 387th globally and 13th in Africa, according to Opta. The Moroccan club sits third at the national league but it is no longer in the title race this season, and their squad does not have any star players who have played in Europe before.

Wydad has also been linked with former Barcelona striker Pedro Rodriguez, 37, who currently plays for Italian club Lazio. Reports suggest that Pedro and Wydad president, Menna, have a close relationship, though the Moroccan club cannot meet Pedro's salary of $2.5 million per year after tax.

Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in January 2023 on a free transfer following his contract termination with Manchester United, has expressed some regrets about his decision. According to Kooora, Ronaldo believes that joining Al Ahli Saudi would have given him a better chance to win the AFC Champions League.

But Marca previously reported that a move to Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia's biggest club, is now unlikely, as the team is not interested in signing the 40-year-old superstar.

A Brazilian club, likely Palmeiras, is serious in signing Ronaldo, it said.

Al Nassr is one of the four powerhouses in the Saudi Pro League, along with Al Ittihad, Al Hilal and Al Ahli, all of which are owned by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF). Since Ronaldo's arrival, Al Nassr have secured just one title, the Arab Club Champions Cup.

Al Hilal have won the Saudi League and two King Cup title, Al Ittihad have won the Saudi League twice, and Al Ahli have just won the AFC Champions League this season. (VnExpress International, but headline rejigged)

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